Yes, BT Speak Can Do That Now: the May Edition

BT Speak raises the bar once again for braille computing. The May software update focuses on productivity and simplicity, introducing tools that make everyday tasks faster and more intuitive. This post highlights the latest BT Speak innovations designed to streamline your workflow.

Clipboard Magic: Now With Braille!

One of the most impressive additions in this update is the cross-platform, braille-compatible clipboard. This user-friendly clipboard supports key operations like cut, copy, paste, undo, and redo. What does this mean for you?

Imagine you've just written a braille message in your text editor and need to send it via email in Thunderbird. With this feature, copying the text from the editor and pasting it into your email client with automatic translation is a breeze. Conversely, if you find useful text in an email that you want to edit, you can easily copy it back into the editor and it would instantly appear as Contracted or Grade 2 Braille, if the file you're pasting to is a Braille file.This seamless function improves your ability to create and share content quickly.

Stop the Presses—We've Got Newsline!

The excitement continues with the integration of NFB Newsline, which allows you to access your favorite publications anytime, anywhere. With just a few simple commands, you can skim through significant articles or dive deep into magazines you love.

This feature keeps you current with news you care about. For instance, if you are interested in technology, you can access the latest updates from major publications like Wired or MIT Technology Review, ensuring you stay up to date with the latest. They even provide access to over 500 newspapers and magazines, including specific categories of International and Spanish content!

You Had Me at 'Open Firefox'

Have you ever struggled to remember a specific command in Desktop mode? Fear no more! The new Smart Input command assistant is here to help. This tool enables you to issue natural language, human-like commands, transforming how you interact with your favorite tools and ensuring you stay on track.

For example, if you want to make selected text bold, simply press low-J chord and type “control+B” followed by enter. Just fired-up Desktop mode and want to load the web browser? Type "open firefox". Yes, it's that easy! The user-friendly design of the Smart Input assistant empowers you to navigate your applications confidently, without finger gymnastics. In fact, studies have shown that using natural language can reduce the learning curve between 30 and 40%, enabling users to adapt to new tools faster (Ijfmr, 2024).

Abracadabra: You're Editable Now

With a flick of a keystroke, turn locked-up PDF files into readable, braille-compatible brilliance. The new PDF to text conversion tool removes barriers to accessing documents. Now, you can extract text from PDF files and convert it into a more readable (and editable) format.

For example, if you have academic research locked away in downloadable PDFs, this tool opens it up for easy navigation and editing. This means larger volumes of shared information are now at your fingertips, making research and various other tasks achievable without frustration.

Reading, Reinvented

The Smart Reader feature introduced in this update significantly improves how you view help files, articles from Wikipedia and Newsline, and other information. It offers clipboard access, search capabilities, and navigational ease, emulating the friendly environment of the editor.

When you need quick access to information—whether for daily tasks or leisure—you can efficiently copy, paste, and search, saving time and boosting productivity. Want to send text from a Wikipedia article to the editor to compile notes for a research project? Search for a subtitle in an NFB Newsline article? Now you can! This flexibility enables users to interact with information like never before.

Markdown: Now With Magic Doors

The editor now recognizes markdown links in text files, which simplifies document navigation and organization greatly. This is particularly helpful for users focused on writing or editing content with hyperlinks.

Having markdown link support allows for a more structured working environment. You can easily incorporate and interact with links, making your workflow smoother. This means less time spent sorting tasks and more time managing what matters most to you.

Next Page, Please!

For YouTube enthusiasts, the new video paginator is a welcome enhancement. This feature organizes search results into manageable sections, eliminating the need for endless scrolling through lists of videos.

This improvement makes it easier to find and enjoy content that interests you. For instance, if you're looking for specific tutorials or entertainment, you can now access all video results matching your query instead of a limited set.

Not Your Average Help Files

Lastly, the welcome screen, help files, and guides now utilize Markdown support, boosting navigation ease right from the start. This means you can swiftly locate the information you need without any hassle.

These enhancements show BT Speak's commitment to making technology easier and more accessible. Whether you are launching the software for the first time or seeking specific command assistance, these changes reflect a significant improvement in user experience.

Wrapping Up

The May software update for BT Speak is packed with features designed to enhance accessibility and productivity. From the braille-compatible clipboard to the user-friendly Smart Input commands, these upgrades make navigating your digital life more efficient.

As technology continues to improve, BT Speak remains focused on equipping users with the necessary tools for a smooth experience. Keep an eye out for future updates and continue to explore the remarkable capabilities of BT Speak—because yes, it can do that now!